More allies can return home victorious.

Two nations with relatively small militaries have made a big impact during their five years of military operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Albania and Moldova have supported coalition operations in Iraq since April and September 2003 respectively, however, their missions here came to a successful end during a ceremony held in each countries honor Dec. 18 at Forward Operating Base Marez.

More than 200, 12th Contingent Albanian Komandos, and 20 Moldovan explosive ordnance disposal soldiers from their country’s sixth contingent were on hand to witness the casing of their nation’s colors.

“These two great nations, Albania and Moldova, are two of the examples of the many nations that have given their sons and daughters to serve the Coalition for five-plus years,” said Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
Austin was on hand as the guest speaker of the event and wanted to express his sincere gratitude for the service of both great nations.

“To our Albanian and Moldovan partners, thank you for your service to the Iraqi people, he said. “God bless each and every one of you.”

Distinguished guests at the ceremony included representatives from each country, including Albanian Minister of Defense, Gazmend Oketa and Moldovan Col. Lilian Salaru, senior representative, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

Each expressed heartfelt gratitude to their troops, and took time after the ceremony to personally shake each soldier’s hand and wish them well. The ceremony concluded with the casing of the colors and a thunderous round of applause from all of those in attendance.

The Komandos have been responsible for force protection and security in and outside of FOB Marez, and have suffered five wounded in action since their involvement began.

The Moldovans have safely secured more than half-a-million items of enemy ordnance since 2003, to include 7,300 pieces of unexploded ordnance around FOB Marez.

MNF-I

Let’s not forget that our allies are involved with us in the War on Terror.

The Albanian Defence Minister Gazmend Oketa landed in Herat to address the national contingent serving under ISAF Regional Command West (RC-W) on 13 May.
Minister Oketa met the Albanian soldiers and brought them a video through which their parents, children and wives greeted them. “I want you to see the faces and hear the voices of your relatives” he said.

“I thank NATO for giving us the chance to take part in security missions like this. We are here to do our part in building a better future for this country.” “Soldiers” – he added – “be proud of what you are doing.”

The 112 Albanian soldiers are based in Herat with their Italian and Slovenian colleagues. Their role is to provide force protection at the forward support base and in its surroundings.

ISAF

R News

A former Monroe County 911 operator is under arrest, accused of accessing highly sensitive and restricted law enforcement information, including that on a terrorism watch list.

Nadire Zenelaj, a native of Albania, is accused of 230 counts of unlawfully accessing restricted law enforcement and criminal records by computer, for her own purpose not related to any official business.
Authorities say Zenelaj had been doing this over a three-year period.

Investigators say Zenelaj had clearance to the information because of her status with the city as a 911 operator and accessed the information at times when her job did not call for her to do so.

On three of the 232 occasions she allegedly accessed the database, authorities say Zenelaj accessed information linked to the site’s terrorism watch list.

She now faces numerous charges, including computer trespass – a Class-E felony.

City leaders relieved Zenelaj of her duties as a 911 operator in December.

Mayor Bob Duffy issued a statement saying that the city is “looking at the many ways in which fraud can take place and taking the necessary steps to protect our citizens.”

In her defense, Zenelaj offered the following statement:

“I totally deny the allegations of computer trespassing and misconduct. Anything that I did at the 911 center was with the training they had given me. I wasn’t the only one. Just about everyone in my position has done the same regardless if whether they hit on any information that was sensitive or not. I deny in any way, shape or form that any information was disseminated. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a straight and legit person. I don’t have any terrorist ties.”

Democrat & Chronicle

Zenelaj, who was a 911 operator, is accused of unlawfully accessed highly sensitive and restricted law enforcement and criminal records information for her own purposes on multiple occasions, according to a news release from city officials.

She also allegedly accessed highly sensitive information pertaining to the terrorism watch list and obtained this sensitive information for personal reasons, not related to official business.

Zenelaj was fired in December for various violations regarding unauthorized access of computer information and violations of the City of Rochester Ethical Standards of Conduct.

Minister Majko offers condolences to Ervin Dervishi family

Minister of Defense Pandeli Majko commiserates the family of the American soldier with Albanian nationality Ervin Dervishi. Minister Majko expressed to his family, on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, deeply felt condolences for the unexpected loss of the 22 years old youngster. “We share in your pain and at the same time feel proud for the heroic act of your son”, said Minister Majko to Ervin’s parents in the United States through phone conversation. He informed them also that the Commando Regiment will organize Thursday a military ceremony to honor Ervin Dervishi, the ceremony is in honor to the fallen in duty. The Minister has required the Albanian troops in Iraq to be silent for a minute in the memory of Ervin, while the military ceremonial takes place in Tirana.

Army Pfc. Ervin Dervishi

21, of Fort Worth, Texas.
Dervishi died in Baji, Iraq, during a combat patrol when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the Bradley Fighting Vehicle in which he was traveling. He was evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital where he later died. Dervishi was assigned the Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Died on January 24, 2004.

Army Pfc. Ervin Dervishi AMERICAN HERO

He went through basic training in Georgia and was stationed out of Fort Hood, where he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Pfc. Dervishi was present for the arrest of Saddam Hussein.

“Life [in Albania] was hard,” Ms. Beebe said. “Both boys had already seen war up close. They had both witnessed a lot of death and destruction and murder.” But that only spurred Pfc. Dervishi and his brother in their desire to join the military, go to college and eventually become police officers, Ms. Beebe said.